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Saturday, March 26, 2011

On my list for months was a note to myself... openEtsy shop! So, the past two weeks

I have been working on that. After a helpful conversation with my parents while in Florida, I found my way around some blocks to getting going. I've listed some spirals, some Nature's Pattern drawings, and a few smaller watercolors. The first few images here are a sampling of what's available. I've added the Etsy Mini feature to the sidebar, down there past the "Gold Afternoon" drawing. The whole thing so far has been a relatively easy process, probably because of my experience with blogger. I had a bit of fun today adding many of your shops and wonderful work to my favorites. I think I'm going to like this!

"Entering"

"Branching Systems"

"Dawn"

A small group gathered for a Spring Equinox fire here at RavenWood. We had to

clear a bit of snow in the garden and bring the moveable fire pit, but the day turned

into a sunny, very warm day. Our ritual started with lots of drums rattles and singing, gratitude offerings to the fire, and a long time of silence to sink into the land and

listen. An enthusiastic crowd of chickadees brought song to our quiet time, and a few

far-off ravens reminded me of the dark contained within the light. Something shifted

in me with the turning of the seasons, and even though we are back to cold and snow

and icy mornings, a bit more peace has taken root in me.

Still snowy in the moss garden, but patches of bare, moss bejeweled ground emerge

at the base of trees and stones warmed from the sun. My constant companions, in

addition to Pasha cat, is the gang of turkeys. They come daily, and seem less concerned

about my presence, and Pasha runs right by them as they stand, frozen like dark

stones against the green hemlock boughs.

I've been wondering about why turkeys have relatively few feathers on their heads.

They're a bit vulture like. Vultures, however, need that bare head because of the icky

places they regularly put their heads, turkeys though? Scratching around the base of

the bird feeder isn't that icky...

Ahhhh, its a few hours later and I'm back to suggest an answer to my own question. I

was just looking at the turkeys when it occurred to me that they need bare heads for better vision. They do fly for short distances and up into trees at night to sleep, but it

sure looks like an effort! So since they spend so much time on the ground, they probably

wouldn't fare too well if they had ornamental feathers getting in the way of seeing an approaching predator. That's my thought. Too late at night to research that, but someday.

Evidence of turkey journeys around the yard.

While the turkeys wander about in the snow, Pasha takes his afternoon nap

in a chair by the wood stove. This is pretty much the scene right now, though in a

different chair. He seems to have tired himself out watching me load wood into

the bin, running up and down those trees is truly exhausting!

The only work I've done recently in the studio was organizing work to list in

the shop, but branches and skies have demanded my attention. I wonder at the

beautiful colors of late winter evening skies. The few photographs below were

taken on a particularly enchanting evening. I could see my grandfather's algae

samples in the branching systems and am anxiously awaiting the end of the

business list to get back to work. I need large blocks of time and am not one

to grab an hour here or there in the studio, but maybe that's something to try.

About Me

I dwell in a peaceful forest clearing amongst tall, sweeping hemlocks. A gathering of oaks encircles my home, and ravens cling to the shadows in the deep shade of the forest beyond. They gift me with squawking and rhythmic beats of wings and call to life the wild spirit within. The mosses, stones and trees, creature beings and spirits of the deep wood whisper, inspire and enchant. I remember and dream and reclaim myself as a sacred being in the web of all life, doing my best to live my life between the culture to which I belong, and the forest which is my true home.
I make things visual in watercolors, oils, ink, scratchboard, and clay/mixed-media. I sing ancient sounding songs (so I'm told) and tell stories from magical realms and the land of dreams.